Metroid Prime devs put GameCube dev kit in freezer to fix post-release issue
Posted on 2 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in GameCube, News, Wii | 0 comments
Believe it or not, the developers at Retro Studios working on Metroid Prime back in the day actually put their dev kit in a freezer while attempting to fix a particular issue that affected a small portion of GameCube owners.
Jack Mathews, a technical lead engineer that worked on the project, shared this story while reflecting on the 20th anniversary of the game. Nintendo had shipped a “bad batch” of GameCubes that affected the CPU, but it turns out that Metroid Prime was the only game that wasn’t working properly. Because of this, animated objects weren’t acting the way they normally would on any other console.
More: Metroid Prime, Retro Studios, top
Masahiro Sakurai was the first to praise Resident Evil 4’s camera system
Posted on 2 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in GameCube, News, Switch, Wii, Wii U | 0 comments
Resident Evil 4 has earned a ton of acclaim over the years, but it was apparently Super Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai who was the first to praise the game’s camera.
That news came about during a discussion with Shinji Mikami and Jun Takeuchi. Mikami was the original director of Resident Evil 4 while Takeuchi has worked on several different entries in the series.
More: Capcom, Resident Evil 4
Autechre says it was originally asked to work on Metroid Prime’s soundtrack
Posted on 2 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in GameCube, News | 0 comments
According to Sean Booth of Autechre fame, the music duo almost got a chance to create the soundtrack for Metroid Prime.
The information was revealed during a Twitch AMA with one fan asking about how Booth as well as Rob Brown – the other half of Autechre – were included in the game’s credits. Booth responded by saying that they almost handled the soundtrack for Metroid Prime, but the role eventually landed with Kenji Yamamoto, who handled music for other entries in the series.
More: Metroid Prime, Retro Studios, top
Miyamoto originally wanted Zelda: The Wind Waker to be realistic, “cringed” when he saw the art style
Posted on 2 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in GameCube, News, Wii U | 0 comments
Many fans weren’t initially on board with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker after seeing the game’s art style, and that apparently applies to series creator Shigeru Miyamoto as well.
DidYouKnowGaming has been digging up some old interviews pertaining to the game. In one discussion featured in Japanese magazine Nintendo Dream, it was revealed that Miyamoto apparently “cringed” after seeing how the visuals and had doubts about its ability to sell.
More: Shigeru Miyamoto, top
Reggie hated Donkey Konga, thought it would ruin the Donkey Kong brand
Posted on 2 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in GameCube, News | 0 comments
What’s the “best worst game” former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime has played? That honor goes to the rhythm title Donkey Konga.
Reggie spoke about his disdain for Donkey Konga during an interview with G4TV this week. As it turns out, he had the belief that this particular game “was going to hurt the Donkey Kong brand.”
More: Donkey Konga, interview, Reggie Fils-Aime, top
Mario Strikers was originally more of a platformer
Posted on 2 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in GameCube, News | 0 comments
Mario Strikers fans might be surprised to hear that the game came close to being more of a platformer.
That news comes from Mike Inglehart, who was a director on the GameCube title as well as its Wii sequel Mario Strikers Charged. Next Level Games toyed around with that mixture of soccer and platforming after receiving limited direction from Nintendo. However, after the Big N reviewed the team’s work and was told to start over, Mario Strikers became more of a soccer experience that emphasized the sport itself.
More: interview, Mario Strikers, Mike Inglehart, Next Level Games, top
Mario Strikers director talks about the Waluigi crotch chop celebration
Posted on 2 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in GameCube, News | 0 comments
There’s a lot that Mario Strikers players remember about the first game, including Waluigi’s notorious crotch chop celebration. It’s something that can be seen after the character scores a goal.
For those wondering about the origins of the taunt, we have new insight from director Mike Inglehart. Inglehart spoke with GameXplain about its inspiration, how Next Level Games didn’t count on it getting past Nintendo, and more.
More: interview, Mario Strikers, Next Level Games, top
Super Monkey Ball Adventure director reflects on the game
Posted on 2 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in GameCube, News | 0 comments
One of the more unique entries in the Monkey Ball franchise was Super Monkey Ball Adventure. Rather than the arcade puzzle platforming the series is largely known for, the GameCube title focused on story and navigating the 3D world. It was also made by Traveller’s Tales rather than SEGA / Amusement Vision.
15 years after its release, director Paul Gardner has now reflected on Super Monkey Ball Adventure in an interview with Retro Gamer. Speaking with the magazine about the game’s reception, he said:
More: interview, SEGA, Super Monkey Ball Adventure
Nintendo of America initially had concerns about releasing the GameCube in purple
Posted on 3 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in GameCube, News | 0 comments
If Nintendo of America initially had its way, the GameCube may not have been originally released with the now well-known purple color.
As part of an interview with VGC in celebration of console’s 20th anniversary, former VP of marketing and corporate affairs Perrin Kaplan mentioned that the team on its side went to Japan’s headquarters and “suggested that the purple was not the best to start with”. She added that it “just didn’t feel masculine”. Ultimately, as we know, Nintendo ended up sticking with purple for the GameCube.
Kaplan said:
More: interview, Perrin Kaplan, top
Nintendo partners with Panda Global for a series of Super Smash Bros. tournaments in 2022
Posted on 3 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in GameCube, News, Switch | 0 comments
Nintendo is teaming up with Panda Global for the first officially licensed Smash Bros. circuit in North America, the two sides confirmed today. It will kick off in 2022, featuring both Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Super Smash Bros. Melee.
According to Nintendo, players in the U.S. will compete online in qualifying rounds for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Additionally, in-person qualifiers are planned for both Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Super Smash Bros. Melee once large-scale events return. Winners of the virtual and in-person qualifying rounds will go on to compete in the grand finals for the championship.
